PRS-505 Alternative firmware that is stable or still in development & usb charging

smartroad · 12-30-2013, 05:14 AM

Hay

I know this is an old machine but I while I have found some custom firmwares for the venerable PRS505 none seem to be in active development or have a stable release.

Does anyone know of any firmwares that are still developed or at least are stable and good to use?

On a separate issue I have problems with USB charging. It seems that to charge via USB it has to have an active connection to a computer. If I simply connect an external USB charger/battery pack it appears to charge but actually drains the PRS' battery.

Thanks all

elcreative · 12-30-2013, 08:49 AM

The 505 is specifically designed to be charged with an external charger that uses the barrel connector and external USB PSUs don't work unless you can set up the wiring to mimic being connected to a computer - not recommended unless you really know what you're doing... It's simple enough, charge from an active computer or charge from an external 5v PSU with barrel connector...

jj2me · 12-30-2013, 04:14 PM

I presume you know about PRS+. If not, here are two additional helpful links:
http://www.anamardoll.com/2011/06/er...tion-with.html
http://erhartc.bplaced.net/ereader/index.php

EDIT: I've never heard of any stability problems with PRS+. I have it on my PRS-350s, and am thinking of putting it on my 505.

Back when the 505 was new, I recall threads here of people who couldn't charge via USB, and it was concluded that an A/C (mains) charger is required. Sony's OEM charger was expensive, but any charger made for the Sony PSP will do just as well.

radius · 01-02-2014, 12:30 PM

I have the PSP charger too and highly recommend it. Since the 505 wants an active computer on the other side (unless you hack the USB cable) you have to go through the re-synch on disconnect when you charge by USB and you can't do anything with the reader while charging.

With the PSP charger, on the other hand, the reader can be used as usual, it charges pretty fast, and there is less wear and tear on the USB port. Wins all around.

mrmikel · 01-02-2014, 02:09 PM

For a while Philips made one that had a cigarette lighter connection, plus plugged into the wall. I have used it the 505 until it died, and continue to use it with my 300 for many years without a problem.

BookCat · 01-30-2014, 08:19 AM

I still have the 505 as my main (and only) reader. I purchased the charger from Sony when I bought the reader and always charge it via that. I've read on previous threads that the PSP charger does the job well too.
So far, the reader is still going well. It's had one battery change. I would buy a new one if I liked any of the current readers as much. You just can't beat the Sony prs 505.

rem736 · 01-30-2014, 06:41 PM

something like this should work with any 5V charger that charges via usb.
http://www.amazon.com/3-5mm-Barrel-J.../dp/B00512Z86I

or get a generic psp charger like this:
http://www.amazon.com/PSP-AC-Adapter-Sony/dp/B0007U2CX6

if you want the assurance of the genuine thing but at a much higher cost:
http://www.amazon.com/PSP-AC-Adaptor...ny+psp+charger

it's surprising that item 2 is actually less expensive than item 1.

radius · 01-31-2014, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BookCat

So far, the reader is still going well. It's had one battery change. I would buy a new one if I liked any of the current readers as much. You just can't beat the Sony prs 505.

Hi BookCat. My 505 is still soldiering on too, but the battery life is getting short. How did you change the battery?

cybmole · 01-31-2014, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jj2me

EDIT: I've never heard of any stability problems with PRS+. I have it on my PRS-350s, and am thinking of putting it on my 505.

they exist - read the very long thread elsewhere on this site.

two that I've experienced & reported. :
1. invalid page after deleting a book - somewhat random but most annoying, only fix was reboot the reader ( prs 650)
2.A well documented issue with the games apps, try to switch games too many time & the entire device locks up & its search for a pin to prod it with time
+ there is some suspicion of fast battery drain ( only for some users, some of the time... )

BookCat · 02-01-2014, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Hi BookCat. My 505 is still soldiering on too, but the battery life is getting short. How did you change the battery?

There used to be several links on this site to documents which give diagrams and details about changing the battery. There's also (I'll do a quick search) a vid on youtube about this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLHgLz9LYMA

There are others too, but this is the one my techie friend referred to when changing mine. You have to be very careful about replacing the 'ribbon' in the correct place.

If you do a search on MobileRead, you may find lots of threads about changing the Sony prs 505 battery containing links to useful documents.

radius · 02-04-2014, 02:45 PM

Thanks BookCat. Looks like a magnetized screwdriver is handy!

robertburnaby · 06-25-2014, 05:45 AM

Bookcat and anyone with experiences, I noticed some batteries listed on ebay as 750mha. Are these the best capacity for505? I also have a 505 , read occationally, never change the battery, never have chance to deplete the battery before recharging... Should I be thinking of replacement? What percentage of power could I expect to recover? thanks!

BookCat · 06-25-2014, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertburnaby

Bookcat and anyone with experiences, I noticed some batteries listed on ebay as 750mha. Are these the best capacity for505? I also have a 505 , read occationally, never change the battery, never have chance to deplete the battery before recharging... Should I be thinking of replacement? What percentage of power could I expect to recover? thanks!

That's the correct battery, but changing it isn't a job for the faint-hearted, which is why I let my techie friend do it. I've since got a Kindle Paperwhite which is faster, has more functions, and which has taken over from the 505.
The 505 is a style icon and was great for its time, but technology has moved on. Unless there is some need to maintain the 505 as your main reader, I'd consider updating rather than changing the battery.

If you still want to change the battery and are good with awkward, fiddly things which were never meant to be user-changeable, then go ahead.

The new battery temporarily added my 505's ability to sustain a charge, but this was quickly back to the level of the old battery.

I don't know if others have had the same experience.

12-30-2013, 05:14 AM	#1
smartroad Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 182 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: PRS-505	Alternative firmware that is stable or still in development & usb charging Hay I know this is an old machine but I while I have found some custom firmwares for the venerable PRS505 none seem to be in active development or have a stable release. Does anyone know of any firmwares that are still developed or at least are stable and good to use? On a separate issue I have problems with USB charging. It seems that to charge via USB it has to have an active connection to a computer. If I simply connect an external USB charger/battery pack it appears to charge but actually drains the PRS' battery. Thanks all

12-30-2013, 04:14 PM	#3
jj2me Guru Posts: 820 Karma: 8820388 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505, -350; Kindle 3 3G, DX, PW 2; various tablets	I presume you know about PRS+. If not, here are two additional helpful links: http://www.anamardoll.com/2011/06/er...tion-with.html http://erhartc.bplaced.net/ereader/index.php EDIT: I've never heard of any stability problems with PRS+. I have it on my PRS-350s, and am thinking of putting it on my 505. Back when the 505 was new, I recall threads here of people who couldn't charge via USB, and it was concluded that an A/C (mains) charger is required. Sony's OEM charger was expensive, but any charger made for the Sony PSP will do just as well. Last edited by jj2me; 12-30-2013 at 04:19 PM.

01-30-2014, 06:41 PM	#7
rem736 purpose priority passion Posts: 645 Karma: 9002000 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: socal, usa Device: sony prs-350, b&n ngp, rM2, kindle scribe, boox poke5	something like this should work with any 5V charger that charges via usb. http://www.amazon.com/3-5mm-Barrel-J.../dp/B00512Z86I or get a generic psp charger like this: http://www.amazon.com/PSP-AC-Adapter-Sony/dp/B0007U2CX6 if you want the assurance of the genuine thing but at a much higher cost: http://www.amazon.com/PSP-AC-Adaptor...ny+psp+charger it's surprising that item 2 is actually less expensive than item 1. Last edited by rem736; 01-30-2014 at 06:44 PM.

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12-30-2013, 08:49 AM	#2
elcreative Wizard Posts: 2,888 Karma: 5875940 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: PRS505, 600, 350, 650, Nexus 7, Note III, iPad 4 etc	The 505 is specifically designed to be charged with an external charger that uses the barrel connector and external USB PSUs don't work unless you can set up the wiring to mimic being connected to a computer - not recommended unless you really know what you're doing... It's simple enough, charge from an active computer or charge from an external 5v PSU with barrel connector...

01-02-2014, 12:30 PM	#4
radius Lector minore Posts: 660 Karma: 1738720 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Aura One, Paperwhite Signature	I have the PSP charger too and highly recommend it. Since the 505 wants an active computer on the other side (unless you hack the USB cable) you have to go through the re-synch on disconnect when you charge by USB and you can't do anything with the reader while charging. With the PSP charger, on the other hand, the reader can be used as usual, it charges pretty fast, and there is less wear and tear on the USB port. Wins all around.

01-02-2014, 02:09 PM	#5
mrmikel Color me gone Posts: 2,089 Karma: 1445295 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Oregon Coast Device: PRS-300	For a while Philips made one that had a cigarette lighter connection, plus plugged into the wall. I have used it the 505 until it died, and continue to use it with my 300 for many years without a problem.

01-30-2014, 08:19 AM	#6
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,911 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	I still have the 505 as my main (and only) reader. I purchased the charger from Sony when I bought the reader and always charge it via that. I've read on previous threads that the PSP charger does the job well too. So far, the reader is still going well. It's had one battery change. I would buy a new one if I liked any of the current readers as much. You just can't beat the Sony prs 505.

02-04-2014, 02:45 PM	#11
radius Lector minore Posts: 660 Karma: 1738720 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Aura One, Paperwhite Signature	Thanks BookCat. Looks like a magnetized screwdriver is handy!

06-25-2014, 05:45 AM	#12
robertburnaby Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2014 Device: prs505	Bookcat and anyone with experiences, I noticed some batteries listed on ebay as 750mha. Are these the best capacity for505? I also have a 505 , read occationally, never change the battery, never have chance to deplete the battery before recharging... Should I be thinking of replacement? What percentage of power could I expect to recover? thanks!

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